Geneva-Novak Djokovic finally won his 100th title of simple career by rallying to beat Hubert Hurkacz 5-7, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (2) in more than three hours on Saturday to become the Geneva champion.
Djokovic had lost his two previous finals since his 99th title nine months ago at the Paris Olympic Games in Roland Garros.
The 100th was after a typically hard and hard -working match, two days after his 38th birthday and surrounded by his family in the Swiss city where some of his relatives reside.
“I’m just grateful to get the 100 here,” said Djokovic in an interview on the field. “I had to work for that, that’s for sure.”
Djokovic joins the great tennis Jimmy Connors, who has a record of 109 titles, and Roger Federer (103) as the only men in the open era with a century of victories in tournament.
The triple champion of the French Open returns to Paris in search of adding to his 24 single home titles. Djokovic has a first round match at the French Open on Monday against Mackenzie McDonald in the United States.
The Serbian won on Saturday with an ace in the middle to finish a push of victory after having broken the Hurkacz service for the first time while dragging 4-3 on the decisive whole. Djokovic seized this chance of breaking with a winner of the cross of the cross, heading towards the net on the sliced half-volley of Hurkacz.
“Hubert was probably closer to the victory all the match than me,” said Djokovic. “I don’t know how I broke his service.”
Djokovic is the first man in the open era to win a title in 20 seasons.
Djokovic’s 100th title in single from Djokovic occurred almost 19 years after his first in July 2006. It was also on Clay, in Amersfoort in the Netherlands, against Nicolás Massú – the Chilean who now leads Hurkacz.
“It’s really inspiring how you show up on the field, out of the field. It’s really incredible what you have accomplished,” Harkacz told Djokovic in the presentations of the trophy on the field.
Djokovic collected his trophy in front of three golden balloons – 1-0-0 – attached to the court.
Since the Paris Olympic Games, he had lost finals at Shanghai Masters in Jannik Sinner last year and Miami Masters against Jakub Mensik in March.
Djokovic obtained much more than the practice of the match he came to Geneva. He had fast outings in April from previous tournaments he had participated in the European clay courtyard, in Monte Carlo and Madrid.
He was also able to spend time with his extended family in the city of Lake Swiss where he has an aunt, an uncle and cousins. His wife and children joined him in Geneva to celebrate his birthday, Djokovic joking that the children had cut a school day.
Djokovic was likely at the start of the first two sets but did not take them. At 2-2 in the first set, Hurkacz saved the second consecutive chances with a powerful service winner.
Hurkacz won the first set with his only chance of breaking when Djokovic doubled.
In the opening match of the second set, Hurkacz saved Djokovic’s next chance with a winner of his head with the net. In equality, Djokovic dominated to force the decision maker.
Hurkacz immediately broke the service again to direct the third set. He had the opportunity when a bouncing low ball plunged under Djokovic racket and took him when the Serbian of the second seeded sent a forehand.
